Jakes

Jermaine Jacobs began as an MC in Bristol’s drum-and-bass scene, performing with the Ledge crew and becoming a resident at Ruffneck Ting. Known as Jakes, the Bristol-based artist works as an MC, vocalist, producer and DJ. Jacobs later moved from drum and bass into dubstep, and became associated with the city’s H.E.N.C.H. crew and label, which he founded. Seeing Mala perform introduced Jakes to dubstep; Jacobs has named Mala as a favourite producer and DJ. Jakes is also credited with coining “riddim” for a minimalist style of dubstep.

Jakes’ early H.E.N.C.H. release was the 2008 single 3Kout / 2 Steps Back. Jakes also collaborated with Joker on “3KLane / Modem”. The tracks “3Kout”, “2 Steps Back”, “Titan Dub” and “Warp 9” are among Jakes’ notable work. Other releases have been associated with D-Style Recordings and One Gun Salute. As a vocalist, Jakes worked with TC on “Deep”, “Drink” and “Mindkiller”; Jakes and TC also toured together.

Jakes recorded and performed with Technical Itch, including on “The Ruckus” and “Soldiers”. “The Calling” paired Jakes with Technical Itch and Kemal. With Distorted Minds, Jakes made the track “T-10”, released on Breakbeat Kaos. Jakes also toured with Pendulum and D*Minds, and performed as a frontman with Pendulum and Ez Rollerz. Jakes ran H.E.N.C.H. Recordings as well as founding the crew.

In 2021, Jakes released the single “Moon Ride Monster” on Indefinite Recordings. The 2022 single “Tectonic” came out on OCC Recordings with OCC. Jakes teamed up with Burr Oak for the 2024 single “Get A Grip” on Eatbrain, followed in 2025 by the single “Lock Stock” with Critical Impact on RUN. In 2026, Jakes released the Rise EP on Invicta Audio with eevi, Harley D and P D X.